Letter-file



(No Model.)

F. M. RAND.

LETTER FILE. No. 327,310. Patented Sept. 29, 1885.

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FRANKLIN M. RAND, OF TURNERS FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS.

LETTER-FILE.

. n 5PECIFIC'ATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 327,310, dated September 29, 1885.

Application filed June 6, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN M. RAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Turners Falls, in the county of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Letter-Files, of which the following is a true and full specification.

My invention relates to that class of letterfiles intended to hold letters and other papers in a clamp in such a way that they may be securely held without puncturing the paper, properly arranged under a suitable index, and easily referred to, when desired, without removing the clamp.

Letter-files as usually made are not entirely satisfactory, from the difficulty of alphabetically arranging the papers, from the cumbrous methods of releasing the pressure retaining them, from the necessity of perforating them, and from other causes.

My invention, which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top View, and Fig. 2 a central longitudinal section, forming part of this specification, is free from these difficulties; and it consists of a bottom board, A, on which the papers rest, and which supports the devices Ior controlling the filing of the papers. At the upper end of the board A is fastened a pin, B, which stands as high as the thickness of the papers filed and the intermediate index sheets require. The index sheets, of stout Manila paper, which extend the whole length and breadth of the file, have each a perforation at the upper end, which passes over this pin, and between these sheets, alphabetized and arranged, the papers to be filed are laid. These are kept securely in place without being perforated by a clamp, O, which rests on their upper ends. Through each end of this clamp 0, outside of the indeX-sheets and papers, passes a stout wire or red, D, secured to the board A, and rising perpendicularly a suitable height for the thickness of the file, when filled. This rod from each side has a round turn from the perpendicular and extends across the whole width of the file.

Around each of the perpendicular ends of the rod D is a coiled spring, F, one end bearing on the clamp O, and extending up around the turn and about one-third of the length horizontally of the rod D, and there resting against each side of the clutch E, as hereinafter described.

On the middle of the rod D, and occupying about one-third of its space, is what may be called a clutch,, E, by which the clamp O is raised and lowered. This clutch is made of a flattened loop of stout wire, each end of which is given a turn around the rod D, forming a bearing for one end of each of the springs F. The ends of the wires are then continued in a curved form down and out, bearing on the clamp 0 through eyes or loops on the clamp, and by which as the loop is turned back the clamp is raised against the pressure of the spring, which, having one end firmly bearing against the clutch on the rod D, by its expansive force, holds the clamp securely down, Whatever may be the thickness of the file.

On each side of the board A, about midway its length, are secured the ends of a bail, G, which extends to near the rear ends of the papers in the file, for the purpose of keeping them flat and straight. It also serves another purpose, for when itis necessary to release the clamp to insert or withdraw papers or to examine them the loop is turned back, the clamp is raised by the arms of the loop, and the bail, being turned forward, catches over the loop and retains it in place, so that by that simple movement the papers are entirely freed and loose.

The advantages of this letter-file are, that the letters and papers placed in it are not punched nor perforated, any paper in it can be examined as readily as the pages of a book, they are easily indexed, and a paper can be inserted or taken out by a single turn of the hand.

Flat springs may, if desire l, be substituted for the coiled spring.

I claim- 1. The combination, with the bottom or base board, the bent rod fixed thereon, clamp 0, arranged to move vertically upon said rod, 5 and clutch E, hung upon said rod asan axis,

of the bail G, pivoted or hinged to the said Witnesses: base-board, as and for the purpose set forth. J AMES S. GRINNELL,

2. The combination, with clamp 0, arranged FRANCIS M. THOMPSON.

to slide upon the rod D, of clutch E, hinged upon said rod, and'links, substantially as set 10 forth, to connect the clutch and clamp, as and for the purpose specified.

FRANKLIN M. RAND. 

